System for halftone screen production

ABSTRACT

Method, apparatus and program product generates a threshold array that contains at least one halftone cell having overlapping or dissimilar dots.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the printed reproduction of images, andmore particularly, to the automatic generation of continuous tone imagesusing halftone screens.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Bi-level printing technologies reproduce images by placing a series ofmarks or spots along selected points of a printing substrate. Suchbinary techniques may arrange spots to create dithered, gray scales.Manufacturers typically produce such gray scales using halftone screens.A halftone screen refers to a pattern of dots configured to create animage of varying tones and/or colors. The dots are spacedsufficiently-close such that an unaided human eye cannot distinguishbetween them. As such, the pattern will convey an overall impression ofthe desired image.

Dots are conventionally formed according to a threshold algorithm orspot function. More particularly, an algorithm executed by a rasterimage processor (RIP) may process “x” and “y” pixel coordinates tocompare a local image value to a calculated threshold gray value. Theresults of the evaluation determine whether an image setter will assigna black spot to an addressable point that corresponds to thecoordinates. In this manner, the algorithm may group points to form adot pattern that makes up a screen.

Most screen making systems generate dots using PostScript processes.PostScript is an accepted industry standard description language capableof integrating text, line art and image data into a single document. TheRIP may execute a PostScript spot function to generate an array of dotstructures comprising threshold gray tones. The array may contain acontinuous range of gray values from black to white. Conventionalhalftone algorithms may produce dot shapes within logically-constructedhalftone cells.

A half-tone cell may comprise a square array of addressable, discretepoints. The points are addressable via “x” and “y” coordinates of thecell. The coordinates may be scaled so that the cell extends from −1 to+1 in both the “x” and “y” directions. Of note, an operator may inputdot pitch and angle requirements into the RIP. As such, the RIP maymanipulate the orientation and spacing of halftone cells, while ensuringthat each cell seamlessly tiles with neighboring cells at all foursides.

A dot pattern comprising the image may be output to film for conversioninto a printing plate. Flexography is one printing process that utilizessuch plates made from halftone techniques. Flexography is typically usedfor printing on paper, corrugated paperboard, and plastic materials.Flexography may utilize a photopolymer plate having projections andother contours that correspond to a halftone screen pattern. The platemay transfer ink onto a substrate using a simple stamping application.Specific examples of items printed with flexography may include:newspapers, milk cartons, frozen food and bread bags, as well as bottlelabels.

Despite its wide application and versatility, plate printing processes,which include flexography, may remain prone to splotching and otherundesirable ink distributions. In many instances, unsuccessful inktransfers are attributable to the texture of the print plate. Designersoften struggle within the confines of restrictive PostScript code tocreate halftone screen configurations optimized for ink transfer. Otherprogramming rules associated with RIP code may further constrain screenand halftone cell design options.

For instance, PostScript requires that each halftone cell align, ortile, on all sides with neighboring cells. Other programming constraintsmay limit the number of addressable points contained by a cell, and mayprevent switching an activated pixel point from “on” to “off.” Suchrules may limit the ability of screen designers to create optimized dotshapes that may be automatically generated by a RIP. Designer attemptsto manipulate code sometimes fail to produce a threshold arrayconfigured for a continuous tonal range, or result in unacceptable gapsbetween cells. Consequently, what is needed is a new spot functionconfigured to create dot structures that are optimized for conventionalprinting processes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a method and printing apparatus optimizedfor ink conveyance. A RIP may process a spot function consistent withthe preferred embodiment. The spot function can automatically generatean array of threshold values that correspond to at least one cell havingoverlapping and/or dissimilar dot structures. The new dots ultimatelytranslate into a superior plate-printing surface.

More particularly, program code of the preferred embodiment arrangesdots within a single cell in such a manner as a portion of a first dotoverlaps a portion of another. As such, overlapping dots may mask oraugment the shape of an underlying dot to create new shapes andpatterns. For instance, where an application calls for an overlaying dotto remain “off,” or white, the underlying dot may appear to have acut-out portion that corresponds to the overlain “masking” dot. Similarpatterns can be optimized for both ink transfer, smooth tonaltransitions, as well as for other optical phenomena.

A variation further enables dots of varying size and shape to occupy thesame cell. Also the system may task the spot function to produce ahalftone screen that integrates aspects of both conventional coarse andfine halftone screens. For instance, a single halftone cell of such ascreen may include dots of both 120 and 360 lines per inch frequencies.The fine dot patterns may prevail in the shadows of a gray scale, whilecoarse dots are prominent in the highlights. The mid-tone shades mayfeature unique aspects of both frequencies. As discussed above, theembodiment may orchestrate this integration at the halftone cell levelby enabling two or more dots within the same cell to overlap.

The system employs a “fold function” configured to create multiple dotstructures within a single cell. The fold function may mathematicallysubdivide a conventional halftone cell into smaller cells that canaccommodate other dots. As such, the algorithm achieves addressabilityof multiple dots within a single cell, while still operating within theconfines of a PostScript program. While all such dots remain centered onaddressable raster grid points, the spot function permits dots toconceptually overlap one another. Significantly, the versatility borneof the spot function allows different dot shapes to occupy a single,conventional halftone cell.

By virtue of conforming to conventional PostScript code, the system cancapitalize on RIP features such as angle and dot specifications, such asangle and pitch. Such RIP manipulations allow for the further creationand modification of unique dot structures. Significantly, RIP processesuse the spot function to create an array that possesses a continuousrange of tonal values. More particularly, the spot function enablesimperceptible tonal transitions from the highlights to the shadows. Thesmooth transition technique is attributable, in part, to the integratedmid-tone dot configurations created by the spot function. As discussedbelow, this integration combines characteristics of both coarse and finepitch cells. Finally, by manually or automatically specifying dot pitchand rotation angles, the embodiment may execute the spot function toautomatically generate an array of unique threshold values.

The above and other objects and advantages of the present inventionshall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and thedescription thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,together with a general description of the invention given above, andthe detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve toexplain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a halftone printingenvironment that is consistent with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred halftone cell design that may be producedby the printing system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a dot pattern generated using the halftone cell design ofFIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 a-h illustrate additional, exemplary halftone cellconfigurations and patterns that may be generated by the printing systemof FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart that steps out processes of an exemplary spotfunction configured to produce the halftone image of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 conceptually illustrates the structure of a halftone screenproduction apparatus 10 consistent with the principles of the presentinvention. The apparatus 10 may use a raster image processor (RIP) 2 tomanipulate image data scanned from a reading drum 14. A spot functionexecuted by the RIP 12 can produce halftone screens configured toreproduce the image data. Of note, at least one halftone cell of ascreen may include overlapping dots. Another, or the same screen, mayincorporate two dissimilar dots within a single cell.

Turning more particularly to FIG. 1, an original image 13 mounts ontothe reading drum 14. A scanning head 16 successively records a signalembodying the image 13 as the reading drum 14 rotates at a predeterminedspeed. A light source 15, such as a halogen lamp, mounts within thereading drum 14. The light source 15 may pass light through the image 12and into the scanning head 16. The system can relate image data recordedby the scanning head 16 to the RIP 12 in the form of raster andresolution independent vector path files. Of note, such files mayquantize the image 12 digitally into discrete gray levels, and spatiallyinto image pixels. As discussed below, the image pixels may not shareany fixed relationship to halftone cells or a grid of an image settingdevice 18.

As may be appreciated by one skilled in the art, such image data may bederived from any apparatus suited to optically scan and convert acontinuous tone image into digital signals representative of a tonaldensities. The RIP 12, which may embody a computing machine, processesthe files before outputting a binary, dithered file to the image setter18. An electronic gun of the image setter 18 may expose or sensitizeportions of a recording medium 20. The recording medium 20, which mayinclude photosensitive paper, film or plates, mounts onto a rotatablerecording drum 22. Of note, known software and hardware mechanisms maysynchronize the rotation of the reading and recording drums 14, 22. Adeveloper may process the recording medium 20 to create halftonescreens.

The RIP 12 may use a single, square, halftone cell as a basis forgenerating a halftone screen. Halftone cells produced within such ascreen conventionally contain a dot structure comprised of multiplespots. Program code may process cell coordinates to identify andinitiate the placement of a spot at an addressable image setter point.Prior to screen production, a manufacturer may input resolution, angleand pitch requirements into a RIP. Angle requirements may be specifiedto reduce undesirable optical phenomena, such as low frequency moirepatterns. Pitch specifications regard the number of dots per linearinch. The RIP 12 may process these requirements along with a spotfunction selected by the operator. Namely, the RIP 12 may use thespecified frequency and angle, along with trigonometry and thePythagorean theorem, to determine a set of ideal coordinates for cornersof a spot function halftone cell.

While coordinates of some cells may correspond directly to addressablepoints of an image setter, others may not. In such instances, PostScriptcode requires that a cell corner coincides with the corner of an imagesetter pixel. Where alignment is necessary, the RIP 12 may adjust pitchand angles to “snap” the cell coordinates to a nearest pixel corner.Snapping may involve rounding the “x” and “y” coordinates of a halftonecell's lower-right corner to nearest integer values.

The RIP 12 may then retrieve and process a Postscript algorithm, or spotfunction, to generate a threshold array. The spot function of oneembodiment may mathematically define a dot structure within a halftonecell for a given set of coordinates. The RIP 12 can automaticallypopulate halftone cells of a threshold array by imputing thresholdvalues derived from the spot function. Namely, the RIP 12 may feedcoordinates into the spot function, which can calculate a thresholdvalue according to the input location. For instance, the function mayoutput a decimal value from zero to one.

As is known in the art, the RIP 12 may use the spot function to orderand assign threshold values to cells within the array. The RIP maycategorize stored threshold values in such a manner as they are readilyassociated with the set of coordinates from which they were derived. Assuch, the threshold array embodies a matrix of multiple halftone cellsin the form of threshold values. In this manner, threshold values form acoordinate-specific template for a halftone cell pattern.

As such, the embodiment may configure the array of threshold values toevaluate digitized image pixels. The coded pattern may correspond tounderlying halftone cell configurations. As discussed above, groupingmultiple halftone cells within an array allows the RIP 12 to uniformlymanipulate the dot angle and pitch of all cells to preserve boundariesand tile alignment.

The RIP 12 may then store the generated array in a halftone screencache. In this manner, the RIP 12 can recall a repetitive array withoutre-performing calculations. The RIP 12 ultimately uses the thresholdarray to compare threshold values with underlying image data. If thetonal value of the image should exceed the threshold value at anaddressable image setter point, then program code may generate a spot atthat location.

A RIP 12 may employ a comparator to determine whether the image settershould mark a particular point or leave it blank. Comparatorsconventionally rely on threshold values as a reference for determiningwhether a mark will be activated at an addressable point. The comparatormay evaluate a threshold value against a corresponding image value todirect the bi-level printer.

It may be helpful to conceptualize the comparison process by imaginingthat the RIP overlays the image pixel over the threshold grid. As such,the overlapping values may be compared according to common coordinates.Where an image value exceeds the overlain threshold value, the imagesetter may place a spot. Of note, where an image pixel value correspondsto an area larger than that of an underlying threshold value, multiplethreshold values may each operate using the single pixel image value. Ineither case, the RIP 12 may transmit a dithered, binary file to theimage setter 18 for producing a corresponding halftone screen.

FIG. 2 illustrates a halftone cell 30 that can be produced in accordancewithin the printing environment of FIG. 1. At its center, the cell 30contains a large circle 32. The inclusion and placement of such a largecircle 32 may be analogous to conventional halftone cell arrangements.Within the context of such known cells, the large circle 32 maycorrespond to a coarse tonal pitch.

As may be evident from FIG. 2, the exemplary cell 30 of FIG. 2additionally supports 16 whole or partial small circles 34, 35, 36. Thesmall circles 34, 35, 36 constitute different dot shapes than that ofthe large circle 32. More particularly, the small dots 34, 35, 36exhibit larger pitch characteristics than the large circle 32. Likewise,a diamond 38 dot within the cell represents a structural departure fromall other dots in the cell. In this manner, the embodiment allows fordissimilar dots within a single cell. Of note, the small circles maycorrespond to fine pitch dots of a conventional tonal array. In thismanner, a single halftone cell may support dual pitch dots within acell. Benefits of such an application may ultimately translate intogreater surface texture on a printing plate. Such texture may allow forgreater ink transfer onto a substrate.

As shown in FIG. 2, four of the small circles 34 overlap portions 39 ofthe large circle 32. As such, the spot function may manipulate theraster points of the overlapping dots 34 to create an integrated dotshape. For instance, the spot function can call for the pointscomprising the small circles 34 to be “off” at select coordinates. Assuch, the underlying large circle 32 may appear to have cut-outscorresponding to the overlapped portions 39. The resultant integratedshape may appear to form a “cross” shape. The threshold array of FIG. 3demonstrates such a shape in its mid-tones 42. Of note, the cross shapeembodies an integration of both fine and coarse dot characteristics.Such gradual and stepped integration allows for imperceptible tonalchanges. That is, the spot function can produce dot patterns thatexhibit smooth, uninterrupted tonal evolutions from highlights toshadows.

As discussed below in greater detail, the relative size or pitch of therespective dots may change throughout an array. Dot transformations maybe driven by the spot algorithm as it processes image pixel coordinates.For example, the pitch of overlapping small circles 34 may diminish inthe shadows of an array, masking less of the underlying large circle 32.Another feature of the embodiment may call for certain dots to beinvisible at specified thresholds. For instance, one embodiment may callfor the diamond 38 dot to be “off” in the highlights, but predominate inthe shadows.

While one embodiment may call for the different dots of a cell 30 to beof uniform color, such as black, another may specify that particulardots convey different colors. Of note, the embodiment can further alignpartial dots of a first cell with a corresponding partial dots of anadjacent cell. For instance, the threshold equation may align a partialsmall circle 35 with a matching half in an adjacent cell. As such, theembodiment may preserve and continue a halftone pattern from one cell tothe next without a perceptible break.

FIG. 3 shows a dot pattern 40 generated using the halftone cell designof FIG. 2. The illustrated embodiment integrates features of a coarsehalftone screen with a fine screen. More specifically, the pattern 40may combine 120 and 360 line frequencies. As may be apparent from themagnified pattern 40 of FIG. 3, the coarse region begins near the top ofthe scale, or highlights 44, and may correspond to lighter shades of theoriginal image. Conversely, the fine pitch region produced by the spotfunction aligns with the bottom portion, or shadows 46, of theillustrated gray scale pattern 40.

When printed to scale, the fine pitch may appear uniformly dark. Theembodiment may capitalize on optical phenomena that makes a dithered,printed region appear solid to an observer. The mid-tone region 42 ofFIG. 3 may demonstrate one of the most versatile and commercially viablefeatures of the embodiment. That is, the dot shapes developed intransitioning from the coarse to fine pitch portions may exhibit uniquecharacteristics of both. In this manner, the embodiment integrates pitchcharacteristics to provide a smooth, imperceptible transition from thehighlights 44 to the shadows 46. As such, the threshold array of theembodiment can produce a plate that not only has a superior texture fortransferring ink, but also does so in a manner that avoids abruptchanges in tonal density.

FIGS. 4 a-h speak to the wide application of other embodimentsconsistent with the present invention. As above, a spot function allowsfor the automatic generation of halftone cells 4 a, 4 c, 4 e, 4 g thatsupport overlapping and/or dissimilar dots within a single cell.Corresponding dot patterns 4 b, 4 d, 4 f, 4 h demonstrate optimized dotstructures that exhibit smooth transitions between tonal extremes.

The spot function processed by the RIP to produce the halftone cell andpattern of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be defined in PostScript as follows:

/th {.5} def /fold {abs 1 3 div sub abs 1 3 div sub abs 1 3 div sub abs3 mul} bind def /round {x dup mul y dup mul add 2 div .5 exp 1 exch sub}bind def /circles {x fold dup mul y fold dup mul add 2 div .5 exp} binddef /diamond {1 x abs .9 y abs mul add 2 div sub} bind def /spotfunction { /y exch def /x exch def round .75 gt {circles th gt {round 3div 2 3 div add } {circles 3 div } ifelse } {circles th gt {diamond 3div 1 3 div add } {circles 3 div } if else } bind defAs discussed herein, the RIP may execute the above code to generateunique halftone cells and patterns. Such cells and patterns may includeoverlapping and/or dissimilar dots contained within a single cell. Thisencoded feature may enable designers to produce threshold arrays thattranslate into smooth tonal transitions and superior ink transfer.

The flowchart of FIG. 5 may emulate the operation of the abovePostScript as executed by a RIP. The flowchart illustrates execution ofthe exemplary spot function for a given raster point. The algorithm,embodied in the flowchart, can output a threshold value used by theembodiment to determine whether a spot is aenerated at that point.

To generate a threshold value using the spot function, the RIP may applya set of coordinates to the algorithm. The coordinates may correspond toa place holder of the threshold array, as well as to an addressablepoint of the image setter. The coordinates, themselves, can consist of avertical, y_(j), and a horizon, x_(i), value between negative andpositive one. As discussed above, the mathematical boundaries of ahalftone cell may dictate this range. Of note, “i” and “j” maycorrespond to the number, “n,” of addressable points in the vertical andhorizontal planes.

The spot function specifies which dot shapes will be created within ahalftone cell. For instance, the spot function responsible forgenerating the halftone cell of FIG. 2 may incorporate three dissimilarshapes. As discussed above, the exemplary shapes of the illustrated cellinclude large and small circles, as well as diamonds. One skilled in theart will appreciate that the embodiment may alternatively generate anyknown dot shape conventionally used in halftone printing. As such, thespot function may specify the boundaries of the respective dots relativeto their position within the halftone cell. For instance, the functionmay define the large circle of the cell as:large circle_(i,j)=1−(x _(i) ² +y _(j) ²/2)^(0.5).Likewise, the function may provide for a diamond shape with boundariesdetermined by:diamond_(i,j)=1−(|x _(i)|−0.9*|y _(j)|)/2.

A “fold” function of the spot function, as discussed above, causes theRIP to configure multiple dot shapes into a single halftone cell.Mathematically, the fold function operates as follows:fold(x)=||||x|−⅓|−⅓|−⅓|*3.The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2 incorporates the fold function intothe algorithm's definition of the small circles:small circles_(i,j)=[(fold(x _(i))²+fold(y _(j))²)/2]^(0.5).

The fold feature of the above equation allows the spot function tooverlap other dots within the cell using the small circles. Namely, thespot function may mask or augment overlapped dots to create new dotshapes and optical phenomena. For instance, one embodiment may call forthe spots of the small circles to remain “off,” thereby eclipsing, ormasking portions of the underlying large circle. The resultant “cross”dot of a preferred embodiment is shown in the mid-tone range 42 of thepreferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.

The spot function may use these dot boundary definitions to determinethreshold values. The flowchart of FIG. 5 outlines the process stepsperformed by the RIP in executing the above PostScript algorithm for aparticular set of coordinates, (i, j). At block 50, the spot functionpresents a first condition for the RIP to evaluate. Namely, if the valueof the above listed large circle equation is greater than 0.75, then theRIP will evaluate a second condition at block 52. Particularly, the RIPmay determine if the value for “small circles” is greater than somethreshold constant. Should the condition of block 52 be satisfied, thenthe spot function may output a threshold value corresponding to theequation of block 54. Of note, the illustrated equation may have theeffect of overlaying the small circles 34 of FIG. 2 over the largecircle 32.

Should the condition of block 52 remain unsatisfied, then the spotfunction will alternatively output a threshold value according to block56. That is, the equation of block 56 will determine the threshold valuefor the submitted, image setter coordinates. As with other such boundaryfunctions of the spot algorithm, this equation may serve, in part, toconfine the size of the threshold value for the overlapping smallcircles.

Should the condition of block 50 be unsatisfied for a given set ofcoordinates, the embodiment may again use the coordinate set tocalculate a “small circles_(i,j)” output. Program code may compare thisoutput to a threshold constant at block 58. This evaluation maydetermine whether the threshold value is determined according to block56 or 60. Where the “small circles_(i,j)” output is greater than theconstant, the threshold value may correspond to a diamond shaped dot.Namely, the embodiment may apply the coordinates to the equation ofblock 60. Where the algorithm determines at block 58 that the “smallcircles_(i,j)” output is less than the threshold constant, then thethreshold value may again be determined from the equation of block 56.As discussed above, the RIP may store the calculated threshold in cachememory to avoid future recalculation.

Of note, the spot function embodied in the flowchart of FIG. 5integrates aspects of coarse and fine pitch design aspects within themid-tones. The spot function may enable smooth transitions betweenhighlights and shadows by selectively evolving the pitch of some dots ina cell. The spot function may further secure such transitions, inaddition to other optical phenomena, by overlapping specified dots of acell. As discussed above, the spot function may further introduce andremove dots within the cell as dictated by input coordinates. Forinstance, the function may generate a diamond shape coincident withblock 60 of FIG. 5.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description ofvarious embodiments and while these embodiments have been described inconsiderable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants torestrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to suchdetail. For instance, while a preferred embodiment may have applicationwithin flexography, the embodiment is nonetheless compatible with allforms of halftone printing, to include gravure, offset andphotolithography. Similarly, while compatible within the confines ofPostScript code, the algorithm of the invention is not limited to suchapplications. Additional advantages and modifications will readilyappear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspectsis therefore not limited to the specific details, representativeapparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described.Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departingfrom the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept.

1. A method for producing a halftone image, said method comprising determining an overlap of at least a portion of a first dot of a halftone cell of a halftone screen with at least a portion of a second dot of said halftone cell of said halftone screen; and overlapping said at least said portion of said first dot with said at least said portion of said second dot throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising differing line frequencies of said first and second dots.
 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising differing shapes of said first and second dots.
 4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising selecting said shapes of said first and second dots from a group consisting of: elliptical, triangular, circular, rectangular, diamond and linear shapes.
 5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising differing tonal characteristics of said first and second dots.
 6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising orienting a first angle of said first dot differently than a second angle of said second dot relative to a first side of said halftone cell.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said overlapping further comprises creating said halftone image to include dots having different line frequencies.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein producing said halftone image further includes producing at least one of a printing plate, a threshold array and a halftone screen.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said overlapping further includes generating a cross shape.
 10. A method for producing a halftone image, said method comprising placing a first dot of a halftone screen and a second dot of said halftone screen within a halftone cell, wherein said first and second halftone dots are dissimilar and wherein said dots are generated at a threshold value throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising differing line frequencies of said first arid second dots.
 12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising differing shapes of said first and second dots.
 13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising selecting said shapes of said first and second dots from a group consisting of: elliptical, cross, triangular, circular, rectangular, diamond and linear shapes.
 14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising differing tonal characteristics of said first and second dots.
 15. The method according to claim 10, further comprising orienting an angle of said first dot differently than a second angle of said second dot relative to a first side of said halftone cell.
 16. The method of claim 10, wherein said placing of said first and second dots further comprises creating an array that includes dots having different line frequencies.
 17. A printing plate comprising a printing and a non-printing surface, wherein said printing surface is manufactured using a halftone screen having a first and a second dot within a halftone cell of said halftone screen, wherein at least a portion of said first dot is programmatically determined to overlap at least a portion of said second dot throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 18. The printing plate according to claim 17, wherein each of said first and second dots have different shapes.
 19. The printing plate according to claim 18, wherein said different shapes are selected from a group consisting of: elliptical, triangular, rectangular, circular, cross, diamond and linear shapes.
 20. The printing plate according to claim 17, wherein each of said first and second dots have different tonal characteristics.
 21. The printing plate according to claim 17, wherein each of said first and second dots have different line frequencies.
 22. The printing plate according to claim 17, wherein said first dot is oriented at a different angle than said second dot relative to a first side of said halftone cell.
 23. The printing plate of claim 17, further comprising at least one of a threshold array and a halftone screen, wherein both said array and said screen are associated with said printing plate.
 24. A printing plate comprising a printing and a non-printing surface, wherein said printing surface is manufactured using a halftone screen having a first and a second dot within said halftone cell of a halftone screen, wherein said first and second dots are dissimilar and are generated at the same threshold value throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 25. The printing plate according to claim 24, wherein each of said first and second dots has a different line frequency.
 26. The printing plate according to claim 24, wherein each of said first and second dots has a different shape.
 27. The printing plate according to claim 26, wherein said different shape is selected from a group consisting of: elliptical, triangular, rectangular, circular, diamond and linear shapes.
 28. The printing plate according to claim 24, wherein each of said first and second dots has a different tonal characteristic.
 29. The printing plate according to claim 24, wherein said first dot is oriented at a different angle than said second dot relative to a first side of said halftone cell.
 30. The printing plate of claim 24, further comprising at least one of a threshold array and a halftone screen, wherein both said array and said screen are associated with said printing plate.
 31. A processor executing an executable program to generate a halftone screen comprising a halftone cell derived from a threshold equation, wherein a fold function of said threshold equation generates at least one dot within said halftone cell according to fold(x)=||||x |−⅓|−⅓|−⅓|*3 throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell and store said halftone screen a computer readable medium.
 32. A program product, comprising: a computer readable medium bearing a program that is executable by a processor to place a first and a second dot within a halftone cell of a halftone screen, to determine an overlap between at least a portion of said first dot and at least a portion of said second dot, to overlap said at least said portions throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 33. A program product, comprising: a computer readable medium bearing a program that is executable by a processor to place a first dot generated at a threshold value and a second dot generated at said threshold value within a halftone cell of a halftone screen, wherein said first and second dots are dissimilar in at least one characteristic selected from a group consisting of: shape, frequency, tone and orientation throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 34. A method for producing a halftone image using a program that executes on a processor, comprising creating a printing plate manufactured using a halftone screen including halftone dots generated at a threshold value having different line frequencies throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 35. The method of claim 34, wherein creating said printing plate further comprises integrating fine and coarse frequency dots.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein said integrating said fine and coarse frequency dots further includes generating a mid-tone dot.
 37. The method of claim 34, wherein creating said printing plate further comprises overlapping at least a portion of a first dot of a halftone cell of said printing plate with at least a portion of a second dot of said halftone cell.
 38. The method of claim 34, wherein creating said printing plate further comprises placing a first and a second dot within a halftone cell of said printing plate, wherein said first and second halftone dots are dissimilar.
 39. The method of claim 34, wherein creating said printing plate further comprises creating at least one of a halftone screen and threshold array, both said array and said screen including dots having different frequencies.
 40. The method of claim 34, further comprising transitioning between said dots of different frequencies using a dot that includes a third pitch.
 41. The method of claim 34, wherein creating said printing plate includes generating at least one of said dots to include a frequency selected from a group consisting of at least one of: a fine pitch, a coarse pitch and an integrated pitch.
 42. The method of claim 34, wherein said creating said printing plate further includes generating a cross shape.
 43. The method of claim 34, wherein creating said printing plate further includes creating a smooth transition between said dots.
 44. A printing system, including: a scanning circuit for reading image data from a source; a processor in communication with said scanning circuit, wherein said processor receives and processes the image data to generate an image file; an image setter in communication with said processor, wherein said image setter receives said image file from said processor and produces a plurality of dots on a halftone screen, said plurality of dots including a plurality of line frequencies at a threshold value throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 45. The printing system of claim 44, further comprising including a smooth transition between said plurality of dots.
 46. The printing system of claim 44, wherein said recording medium is selected from a group consisting of: a threshold array, a halftone screen and a printing plate.
 47. A printing system, including: a scanning circuit for reading image data from a source; a processor in communication with said scanning circuit, wherein said processor receives and processes the image data to generate an image file; an image setter in communication with said processor, wherein said image setter receives said image file from said processor and produces a plurality of dots on a halftone screen, said plurality of dots including a first and a second dot within a halftone cell of said halftone screen, wherein said image setter determines that at least a portion of said first dot overlaps at least a portion of said second dot throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 48. A printing system, including: a scanning circuit for reading image data from a source; a processor in communication with said scanning circuit, wherein said processor receives and processes the image data to generate an image file; an image setter in communication with said processor, wherein said image setter receives said image file from said processor and produces a plurality of dots on a halftone screen, said plurality of dots including a first and a second dot within a halftone cell of said halftone screen, wherein said first and second dots are dissimilar and generated at a threshold value throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 49. A program product, comprising: a computer readable medium bearing a computer executable program configured to produce a plurality of dots on a halftone screen, wherein said plurality of dots include multiple line frequencies at a threshold value throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 50. The program product of claim 49, wherein said program is further configured to gradually transition between said multiple line frequencies.
 51. A method for producing a halftone image using a program that executes on a processor, comprising creating a threshold array including a gradual transition between highlights and shadows of said threshold array, and wherein said gradual transition includes multiple halftone dots at a threshold value having multiple line frequencies throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 52. The method of claim 51, further comprising programmatically determining to overlap dots of said threshold array.
 53. The method of claim 51, further comprising including within said threshold array a plurality of dots at a threshold value that include at least one dissimilar characteristic selected from a group consisting of: line frequency, shape, tone and orientation.
 54. The method of claim 51, further comprising using said threshold array to generate a halftone image.
 55. A printing plate comprising a printing and a non-printing surface, wherein said printing surface is manufactured using a common halftone screen that includes halftone dots generated at a threshold value, wherein said halftone dots include different line frequencies throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell.
 56. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said dots include a frequency selected from a group consisting of at least one of: a coarse pitch, a fine pitch and an integrated pitch.
 57. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said halftone screen includes at least a portion of a first dot overlapped with at least a portion of a second dot.
 58. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said halftone screen includes first and second dots, wherein said first and second dots are dissimilar.
 59. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said halftone screen further comprises dots having different line frequencies.
 60. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said halftone screen further includes a gradual transition between said dots having different line frequencies.
 61. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said halftone screen further includes a dot having a third line frequency, wherein said dot having said third line frequency is positioned between said dots having different line frequencies.
 62. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said halftone screen further includes a mid-tone dot positioned between said dots having different line frequencies.
 63. The printing plate of claim 55, wherein said halftone screen includes a substantially cross shape.
 64. A raster image processor executing a program configured to utilize a threshold array that includes a highlight and a shadow region, wherein said threshold array further includes a gradual transition between said highlight and shadow regions, and wherein said gradual transition comprises multiple halftone dots at a threshold value having multiple line frequencies throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell; the processor capable of reading a computer readable medium bearing said threshold array.
 65. The processor of claim 64, wherein said threshold array further includes overlapped dots.
 66. The processor of claim 64, wherein said threshold array further includes a plurality of dots that include at least one dissimilar characteristic selected from a group that consists of: frequency, shape, tone and orientation.
 67. A program product, comprising: a computer readable medium bearing an executable program configured to use a threshold array that includes a highlight and a shadow region, wherein the threshold array further includes a smooth transition between said highlight and said shadow region, and wherein said smooth transition comprises multiple halftone dots at a threshold value having multiple line frequencies throughout said image in a manner that in substantially all halftone cells the narrowest width of any ink-bearing portion of each halftone cell is no greater than approximately 30% of the width of the halftone cell. 